Remotely controlled tape punch



Feb. 9, 1960 H. THOLSTRUP REMOTELY CONTROLLED TAPE PUNCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1957 v INVENTOR. 7'E VEV L, Z /OLSTRUP ATTORNEY Feb. 9, 1960 H. L. THOLSTRUP REMOTELY CONTROLLED TAPE PUNCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 23, 1957 IN VENTOR. fiE/v/ey A, fi/aLsr/eup ATTOR/VEV Feb. 9, 1960 H. L. THOLSTRUP REMOTELY CONTROLLED TAPE PUNCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 23, 1957 INVEN TOR. M A/w 1, 75 0157201 Avon/5V,

United States Patent REMOTELY CONTROLLED TAPE PUNCH Henry Tholstrup, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Commerclal Controls Corporation, Rochester, N.Y.., a corporation of Delaware This invention relates to tape. punch structure. In its particular aspects, the inventionrelates 'to interposer control mechanism for tape punch structures.

A conventional punch used for punching combinational code holes into a tape utilizes a plurality of reciprocating punch pins, each one of which is driven from one end of a punch lever. About midway of their length, the punch levers are supported on a rotary eccentric shaft. It is characteristic of these structures that the end of the punch levers remote from their connection with the punch pin is free to rise and fall as the eccentric is rotated such that no motion is transmitted to the punch pins unless an interposer is put into the path of the remote end of the levers selected to perform a tape punching operation. Such interposers provide a fulcrum about which the cecentric can oscillate the selected punch levers to impart reciprocating movement to the punch pins controlled thereby. The invention herein relates to the foregoing type of mechanism.

it is an important object of the invention to reduce the inertia of interposer mechanism for punch structures by arranging the interposers for reciprocating movement into and out of engagement with their related punch levers.

It is a further important. object of the invention to provide a positive latching mechanism by which the interposers are latched in retracted position against the bias of individual operating springs, such that upon the release of a latched interposer, it will be reciprocated into positive contact with its related punch lever.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a latch member adapted to engage the interposer ever to latch the same in retracted position, and in conjunction therewith a bail adapted to move the interposer lever latches into interposer lever latching position and hold the latches in such position until a secure latch of the interposer levers has been effected.

It is a further. object of the invention to integrate the interposer lever operation with the latch bail operation by employing a common operator for performing both of the stated functions.

It is a specific object of the invention to provide a cam device for controlling the operation of the interposer lever latch bails such that while the movement of the cam device is a continuous reciprocating movement, the control imparted by it to the bails is one of differential movement.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be explained in the following description and still others will become apparent from a reading of the description in conjunction with the drawings forming a part of this application.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a tape punch which embodies the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view generally on the, line 2-2 of Fig. 1, certain parts being removed and others being broken away to show underlying structure;

,Fig. 3 is a perspective view-on. an enlarged. scale of.

Patented F eh. 9, 1960 2 interposer restoring bail mechanism and interposer lever latch bail operating mechanismj Fig. 4 is asectional view through a punch block and showing, in elevation, a punch lever and an interposer together with its control mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a diagram indicating the position of interposer lever latch bails throughout an operative cycle;

Fig. 6 is .an explanatory view of a part of the control mechanism; anda Fig. 7 is a View of the mechanism represented in Fig. 6, showing, however, a different relative position of the parts. i i j A general understanding of the nature of the invention can be obtained by brief reference to Fig. 4, this being a view showing thepunch block in section and the nature and disposition of the punch levers and their related interposers which are under control of armatures associated with selectormagnetsw-ln this figure, a punch 10 is guided through a punch block 12 over which a tape 14 passes in step-by-step progression. The punch 10 is operated by a punch lever 16 mounted on a rotary eccentric shaft 18. A guide rod 20 extends through an elongated slot in the punch lever. The punch lever 16 has a head 22 which rests in a socket in the punch 10 such that when the head 22 is oscillated by the eccentric shaft 18, the punch 10 will be reciprocated in the punch block 12 to cause code holes to be punched into the tape 14. The opposite end 24 of the punch lever '16 extends into a guide comb mitting the end'24'ofthe punchl'ever to rise and fall as' When the end 24 of the the eccentric shaft'18 rotates. punch lever is'.unrestrained,,it will rise and fall as the eccentric shaft 18 is rotated, but the punch 10 will remain at rest. In order to select a punch for operation, it is necessary to project an interposer 30 into the path of the end 24 of the punch lever. The interposer 30 blocks movement of the end 24 of the punch lever and serves as a fulcrum about which the punch lever 16 will oscillate upon continued rotation of the eccentric shaft 18. Ac-. cordingly, when an interposer 30 is engaged with the end 24 of the punch lever, the forward end 22 of the.

punch lever will rise and fall to reciprocate the punch 10.,

The interposer is controlle'd'by an armature 32 which is associated with an electromagnet 34. The magnet frame has attached thereto an armature pivot plate 41 provided with a pivot edge which extends just above.

the face of the magnet 34a where it engages a fulcrum slot 43 at the outerend of the armature 32. The armature 32, when not attracted by its magnet, is rotated out- 1 as shown in Fig. 4, the lug 38 of the interposer 30,will

engage the slot '36 of the Tarma'ture and thereby latch the interposer in its, inactive position. If the magnet 34 is now energizedto. attractits armature 32, the latching engagementbetw'een, theslot 36 and the lug 38 will be broken such that a spring=42 will project the interposer 30 toward the left 'in .Fig. 4 where Iheinterposer 30..- blocks movement of the end 24 ,of the punch lever 16. to cause the punch to operate .as previously stated.

Herein there are fifteencode hole punches, fifteen related interposers and con'trolassemblies, each one being-L,

selectable for operation such that combinational codes,

depending onthe number of control magnets that are Thejarrnature' 32 has a notch 36 adapted.

energized, will be punched each punching operation, the interposers 30 are returned to their inactive position by means of a pair of interposer restoring bails 44; Timedfor operation with the movement of the interposer restoring bails 44 are a pair of armatures knock-off bails 46 and 464 which operate simultaneously to release any of the armatures 32 which are attracted to their associated magnets.

One of the important features of this invention is the control of the knock-off bails 46-46a such that they will present the armatures 32 for positive engagement of the interposer lugs 38 with their respective armature slots 36. v

The disposition of the above described punch control assembly within a supporting frame is best seen in Fig. 2. The frame is generally rectangular in shape and consists of a pair of parallel side walls 48 and 48a, and a pair of parallel end walls 50 and 50a. The sidewalls '48 and 48a provide bearings for the eccentric shaft'18 which is adapted for rotation in conventional manner from any source of power transmitted through a conventional single revolution clutch (not shown). These side walls also provide bearings for a feed roll shaft 52.

The side wall 48a, as best shown in Fig. 1, constitutes the support for feed roll control mechanism and knockoifbail control mechanism, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

By reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that there are seventeen punch levers associated with the. punch block 12. Fifteen of these punch levers, as stated, are controlled by movable interposers in the manner previously described in connection with Fig. 4. Two of the punch levers, namely, 16a and 16b are controlled respectively intothe tape 14. Following the eccentric 56 is operated by the eccentric shaft 18, the slide bar 62 will reciprocate in timed relation with the rotation of the eccentric shaft 18. The side plate 48a of the frame has a slot 68 formed therethrough to accommodate the interposer restoring bails 44 which are attached to the slidebar 62 such that the interposer reterposers and that flanges 44a of the interposer restor:

ing bails are adapted to e'ngage'shoulders 44b formed at the rear end of the interposers 30. Thus, as the slide bars 62 and '63 are r'eciprocatedto the left, as shown in Fig. 2, the shoulders 44a of theinterposer restoring bails will engage the shoulders 44b of the interposers and simultaneously return all interposers to an inactive posi- It is a feature of the invention to so control the opera- 'tion of the knock off bails 46 and 46a that they remain in operative contact with their associated armatures and maintain .the armatures in bailfllatching position until the interposer restoring bails 44 start to return toward the left as viewed in Fig. 4. Once the interposers are released by the interposer restoring bails 44, the interby related interposers which are in permanent operating engagement therewith such that punch pins are projected by these two punch levers at each operating cycle to punch feed holes at the fourth and thirteenth punch positions respectively, as indicated at 10a and10b of Fig. 2.

By this arrangement, it is possible to perforate four,

different combinations of tapes, i.e.: one fifteen code hole tape, two seven code hole tapes, two five code hole tapes, or one seven code hole tape and one five code hole tape. i

The feed roller shaft 5'2has a feed roller 54 mounted thereon and the latter has circumferential feed pins 54a frame where they are attached to sliding bars comprising actuators by means of which ing bails are reciprocated.

the interposer restor site ends of the shaft 18. Eachecccntric has a forwardly projecting finger connected to a slide bar which is: guided for reciprocating movement in "guide blocks and ends of the interposer restoring to which the opposite bails are attached. t V t i In Fig. 2, the'eccentrics 56 and57 at opposite faces of the punch are mounted on'the eccentric shaft 18. The forwardly projecting fingers 58 and 59 thereof are respectively pivoted to the sliding bars 62and '63. The arrangement at opposite sides of the punch isthe same such that reference to the actuator illustrated in Fig. 1

will provide an understanding of both actuators.

By reference to Fig. '1, it will be seen-that the slide hold them out until the engaging face of the interposer.

poser springs 42 will tend to project the interposers toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 4. It is necessary, therefore, that the armature knock-off bails 46 and 46a remain in operative contact, with their respective armatures and hail lugs 38 is in contact with the latching surface of the armature notches 36. 7

Reference to Fig. 3 will disclose the armature knock-.

off bails and the mechanism through which they are operated. The selector magnets (Fig. 4) are supported bar 62 extends forwardly where laterally extending flanges thereof engage a pair of guidegrodves64' and 64a in laterally spaced guide 'blocks 66' and 66a' which in a pair of sub-assembly frames70 and 70a which have 'apertures lugs 72 (Fig. 3) by means of which these frames are fixedwithin the punch housing. A pair of knock-off bail operating shafts 74 and 74a extend through the side plate 48a of the housing and through the magnet frames which provide a suitable bearing for the inner ends of the operating shafts. As seenin Fig. 3, the knock oif bail operating shaft 74 is attached to one end ofthe knock-off bail 46, such that thebail 46 will rock as the.

"shaft 74 is rocked. The opposite end of the knock-off Eccentrics and 57 (Fl-g. are m e h 'oppop t the magnet frame 70. A collar such as the collar 77 may be affixed to the stub shafts when the knock-off bails have been assembled as indicated.

Theends of the shafts 74 and 74a which extend beyond the face of the frame wall 48ahave attached there-. to forwardly extending fingers 76and 76a which serve as cam followers operating in conjunction with a dynamic.

cam arrangement by which;the stated movement of the knock-off 'bails 46 and 46a is attained. The slide bar 62 has a cam 78 fixed to a facelthereof. The contour.

of the cam 78 is best seen in Fig. 1, wherein it may be seen'that a cam following surface 80 on the finger 76 and a similar cam followingsurface 86a on the finger.

7611 are adapted to contact opposite edges of the cam 78; When the slide bar 62 is in its retracted position, the

cam followers 80 and 80'aare in contactwith the widest part of the cant '78 and this results in a spreading of the cam following fingers-7 6 and 76a and a consequent rocking of the knock-E bails 46*and 46a to their outer position where" they aif'e space'd*frbni their 'relatedfarmatfirs, However, as the slide bar 62 is reciprocated t'o'the left, as viewed in Figs. 1 arms, the' cam followers 80 and 80a will drop into a lower position by reason offthe reced ing contour of the cam 78. This will permit the shafts 74 and 74a to rocl; inwardly with the result that the knock-off bails 46 and'46a will be-br'ought into sudden operative contact with their associated-armatures thereby freeing any' armature'that 'may be stuck-to its magnet due to residual magnetismand holding the related armatures in a position where they are engaged by the latch lugs 33 of theinterposer's.' h

The cam arrangement is" a dynamic one by reason of a pair of sliding plates 82 and 82a which are mounted I on the outer face of the slide bar 62.

Reference to Fig. 3' will show that the sliding plates 82 and 8211 have elongated slots 84 extending therethrough such that when the plates 'are mounted on the face of the slide bar 62, as by a pair of large headed machine screws 86, the plates'82 and 82aare free to slide in reference to the-cam-78 by al'distancewhich is controlled by the length of the slots 84. The sliding plates 82and- 82a each. have an upstanding stud 88 at the front end thereofwhich serves as an anchor for a control spring 90. One end of the control spring 90'is attached to the stud 88 While the other end is attached to an anchorv stud 92 extending outwardly from the face of the slide bar 62. By reason of the springasse'mbly, the sliding plates 82 and 82a are normally biased toward the springanchors 92. The front ends 94 and 94a of the sliding plates 82 and 82a, respectively, present'lateral faces adapted toengage with'upstanding lugs 96 and 96a, respectively, formed, respectively, on the cam-following fingers 76 and 76a. I

The cam followers 80 and 80a'do not extend into the plane of the sliding plate surfaces 94 and 94a, respectively, while the lugs 96 and 96a are affected only by the sliding plates. The sliding-plates 82-82a have downwardly stepped portions 98and 98a, respectively',-into which the upstanding lugs' of the related follower fingers may drop when the position .of the sliding plates in reference to the lugs is such as to permit it. In this regard, it may be noted that the follower fingers 76 and 76a are interconnected by a spring 100 which is attached to the free ends .of the follower fingers such that it extends under the slide bar 62. By reason of the spring 100, the follower fin'gers'76 and 7611 are normally biased toward each other. The wide lateral faces of the cam 78 will spread the follower fingers against the tension of the spring 100. Also,'the lateral edges 94 and 94a of the sliding plates will hold the follower fingers in separated position whenever the upstanding lugs 96 and 96a of the follower fingers are in contact with the edges 94 and 94a, respectively, at the wide part of the sliding plates.

Fig. 5 of a diagrammatic illustration indicating the movement and position of the knock-0E bails 46 and 46a resulting from the coaction of the cam 78 and the sliding plates 82 and 82a with the follower 80-80a. and the lugs 96--96a, respectively, during a forward and return movement of the slide bar 62.

As the cam 78 moves forwardly with the slide bar 62, the sliding plates 82 and 82a tend to lag with the result that the lugs 96 and 96a remain in contact with the wider portion of the sliding plates 82 and 82a thereby maintain- .ing the armature knock-offs in retracted position, as represented by the line a in Fig. 5. When the sliding plates 82 "and 82a move forwardly with the slide bar 62, such that the lugs 96 and 96a drop inwardly into contact with the stepped down edges of the sliding plates 82 and 82a, respectively, the knock-off bails will be swung inwardly against the armatures, as represented by the line b in Fig. 5. In order to cause the knock-off bails-'46 and 46a to engage and hold their respective armatures in their inner position until a positive latching contacthas been made with theirirespecti've interpds'er'bail latch lugs, it is necessaryto provide a dwell in the operation of the cam mechanisrn 'such that the knock-off bails will hold the armatures'until the interposer restoring bails 44 have released the interposers and-the interposers have returned to a point where their-lugs engage the front end of the notch in their respective armatures. The sliding plates 82 and 8221 are designed to serve this function.

Figs. 6 and 7 are explanatory figures which will clarify the function of the camassembly. The normal rest position of the slide bar 62 is shown in Fig. l. Herein the cam followers and 80a are in contact with the wide part of the cam 78 and the lugs 96 and 96a are opposite the wide part of the sliding plates; consequently, the follower fingers 76 and 76a' and their associated knock-oflf bails 46 and 4611 are in the spread or retracted position in which the knock-ofi balls are spaced from their respective armatures. As the slide bar 62 moves forward into a position approximating that of Fig. 7, the cam followers 80 and 80a will be in the lower part of the cam 78 and the lugs 96and 96a will have dropped into the stepped down portion of the sliding plates 82 and 82a, as stated. This, as stated, is the position in which the knock-off bails 46 and 46a are in contact with their respective armatures and in which the armatures are held in their position for the reception of the interposer bail latch lugs 38. The slide bar may carry the sliding plates 82 and 82a for. wardly where they are free of their respective lugs 9696a, this being the part of the movement indicated by the line' cin'Fig. 5. As the slide bar 62 begins to move back, i.e., such that the interposer restoring bails 44 release the interposers, the lugs 96-96a of the follower fingers 76 and 76a, resp ectively, will remain in the stepped down 'portion of the sliding plates 82-82a,'respectively, and the shoulder atjthe junction of the wide and narrow section of the sliding plates will contact the respective lugs 9696a,such that {the sliding plates will be held at rest until the' slide bar 62 hasmoved almost to the rear limit of its stroke, which is substantially the position shown in Fig. 6. Since the follower fingers 76-7641 do not move laterally during this portion of the slide bar motion, there is produced a dwell in the movement of the knockoff bails 6464a which is represented by the line d in Fig. 5. The line d is afunction of the distance through which the slide bar 62 may travel in respect to the sliding plates 8282a. After the slide bar 62 has returned to the position shown in Fig. 6, the followers 8080a will engage the rising contour of the cam 78 such that the lugs 9696a are withdrawn from the stepped portion of the sliding plates 82- 82a, respectively. At this point, the springs 90a' (Fig. 3) will return their respective sliding plates 82-82a to their normal position and the wide part of the cam plate 78 will rotate the knock-off bail operating shafts 7474a into the retracted or outer position as indicated by line 'e of Fig. 5.

It is clear, therefore, that as the slide bar 62 moves toward the right in Figs. 1 and 3, the sliding plates 8282a will be halted momentarily bythe lugs 9696a until such time that the wide portion of the cam plate 78 separates the follower fingers 76 and 76a. It follows, therefore, that the armatures 32 are positively held in position by the knock-01f bails 46 and 46a until the interposers 30 can move forward to engage the forward edge of their lugs 38 in the rear wall of the armature slots'36.

The feed roll 54 (Fig. 1) is indexed by means of a feed pawl 102 which is mounted on and operated from. the eccentric shaft 18. 'The rear end of the feed pawl 102 has a pin 104 which is adapted to slide in a slot 106 formed in a rotatable block 108. Intermediate the length of the feed pawl 102 is a tooth 110 positioned to engage 7 ratchet wheel 112. to advance the tape 14 to its next punch position over the punch block 12. The ratchet Wheel 112 and the feed shaft 52 are stabilized in their successive positions by a detent roller 114 which is adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel 112 at a point forward ofthe pawl tooth 110. The detent mechanism is mounted on a generally L-tshaped plate 116which embraces the feedshaft 52 and about whichit may be adjusted. To this end the plate 116 has an elongated slot 118 adapted to receive an adjusting screw 120 which extends through the slot 118 and into an anchoring block extending outwardly from the face of the frame wall 48a. The detent roller 114 is carried at one end of a detent arm 122 such that the roller is exposed for contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 112. The detent arm 122 is pivoted to the plate 116 at a point 124 just below and slightly to the rear of the axis of the feed shaft 52 audit is biased in a clockwsie direction about said pivot and into contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 112 by means of a spring12 6. The spring 126 is connected between a downwardly projecting extension 128 of the plate 116 and a rearwardly located downward extension 130 of the detent plate 122.

An elongated detent actuating lever 132 has its rear end pivoted on astud 134 that extends from the face 48a of the housing; The opposite end of the detent actuating lever 132 underlies a cam 136 on the cam shaft 18 and is provided with a cam following roller 138. Along the length of the detent actuating shaft'132 is an upstanding finger 140 which carries a laterally extending pin 142. The pin 142 extends into .a slot 144- of the detent plate 122 such that it engages the wall of the slot. As a result of the relationship of the pin 142 and the wall of the slot 144, the. detent plate 122 will be rockedahoutits' pivot point-124 in a counterclockwise direction to break contact between the detent roller 114 and the,te et-h of the ratchet wheel 112 each time the high point of the cam v136, in engagement with the cam following roller 138, depresses the detentactuatingarm 132. Whenthe cam 136 rotates so thatthe high point is no longer in contact with the cam following roller 138, the spring 126 will return the detent plate 122 in a clockwise direc tion about its pivot 124 such that the detentroller 114 will again engage the teeth of the ratchetwheel 112, The cam 136 is so designed and positioned on the eccentric shaft 18 that the ratchet wheel 112 and the feed roll 54 are indexed one position-as the punch pins are withdrawn into the punch block 12 aftera punching operation.

The eccentrics on the shaft 18 are so arranged that the following sequence takes place during each punch cycle: At 49 the punch pins start into the tape; the reset bails 44engage tripped interposers at, 163 the interposers 30 release the punch lever ends 24 at 205; the knock-off bails 36 and 46a engage their respective armatures at 227;the detent roller 114 starts away from the ratchet wheel 112 at 244; at 252 the'interposer reset hails 44 have travelled their maximum distance to the right, as

viewed in Fig. 4; the punch pins are withdrawn from the plane of the tape at 260; at 268 the pawl tooth.110, engages the ratchet 112; at 295 the interposer restoring bails 44 begin their return movement to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4; at 296 the detent roller 114 reengages the ratchet wheel 112; the knock-off bails 46 and 46a begin to withdraw from their respective armatures at 311; at'

less than 2" in width, dictates that the control magnet. Ifit is assumed that, the interposers 30 are spaced from each other ,4 of an assembly be compactly arranged.

parallelto said fixed linear path for engaging and moving space. Accordingly, the 1 control magnets are provided in a pair of upper and lower rows so staggered in respect to each other that a maximumarnount, of space is provided for adjacent magnetsofany particular row. The magnets 34a, 34b, 34c-and 34d of Fig. 4 are adapted to control founadjacentj interposers. "Assuming that the magnet 34a is in control of the first interposerof a series of four, then magnet 34b willcontrol the second inter,- poser, magnet 340 will control the third interposer, and magnet 34d will control the fourth interposer of the series. By this arrangement, again assuming a distance of A of an inch between interposers, there is provided a total distance of $5 of an inch between adjacent magnets of any row.

What is. claimed is: i

1. Intel-poser mechanism for a tape punch comprising, an interposer lever mounted for movement in a fixed linear path, a latch member adapted to engage said interposer, lever to latch the same against movement, a pivot for said latch member whereby saidlatch member may be rotated to engage and latch said interposer lever,

means, for rotating. said latch member into interposer lever releasingposition, a spring for moving said inter? poser lever in onedirection along said path when the same isreleased by said latch member, reciprocating retracting means mounted for movement in a fixed path said interposer lever in theother direction along said path against the bias of said, spring, andmeans. under control of saidretracting means for establishing and maintaining positive contact between said latch. member and said interposerlever during movement of said retracting means while moving said .interposerFlever in said other direction.

2. Interposer mechanism for a tape punch comprising, an interposer lever mounted for movement in a fixed linear-path, a latch member adapted: to engage said interposer lever toxlatch, the same, against: movement, a pivot for said latch member whereby said'latch member may be rotated to engage and latch said *interposerilever,means fo'rrotatingysaid latch member into: interposer lever releasing position, a spring formoving said' interposer lever in one direction along said pathlwhen the same isreleased by said latch member, reciprocating retracting means mounted for movement in a fixed path parallel to said fixed linear path for engaging and moving said interposer lever in the other direction along said path against the bias of said spring, a pivoted bail structure mounted for rocking movement into contact with and away from saidlatch member, and means under control of said retracting meansifor maintaining said bail in positive contact withsaid latch member while latching engagement thereof with said interposer lever is established during movement of said retracting means while moving, said interposer lever in said other direction.

3. Interposer mechanism for a tape punch comprising, an interposer lever mounted for movement in a fixed linear path, a latch member adapted to engage said interposer lever to latch the same against movement, a pivot for saidlatch member whereby said latchmember may be rotated to engage and latch said interposer lever,

means for rotating said latch member into interposer lever releasing position, means formoving said interposer leyer in 'one direction along said path when the same is releasedxby,-said latchmember, reciprocating retracting means for engagingand moving said interposer lever in the otherfdirection along said path, a pivoted bail structure mounted for rocking movement into contact with a and away from said latchmember, a cam follower in said inch, it can be seen that the control magnets must be bail structure located alongthe path of said retracting means, and acam device carried by said retracting means for engagement with said cam follower whereby said bail is rocked into contactiwithsaid latch member and is held in such contact whilejlatching engagement thereof with said interposer lever isestablished during movement of said retracting means while moving said interposer lever in said other direction.

4. Interposer mechanism for a tape punch comprising, an interposer lever mounted for movement in a fixed linear path, an armature adapted to engage said interposer lever to latch the same against movement, a pivot for said armature whereby said armature may be rotated to engage and latch said interposer lever, an electromagnet for rotating said latch member into interposer lever releasing position, means for moving said interposer lever in one direction along said path when the same is released by said armature, reciprocating retracting means for engaging and moving said interposer lever in the other direction along said path, a pivoted armature knock-oil bail structure mounted for rocking movement into contact with and away from said armature, a cam follower in said bail structure located along the path of said retracting means, and a cam device carried by said retracting means for engagement with said cam follower whereby said bail is rocked into contact with said armature and is held in such contact while latching engagement thereof with said interposer lever is established during movement of said retracting means while moving said interposer lever in said other direction.

5. Interposer mechanism for a tape punch comprising, an interposer lever mounted for movement in a fixed linear path, a latch member adapted to engage said interposer lever to latch the same against movement, a pivot for said latch member whereby said latch member may be rotated to engage and latch said interposer lever, means for rotating said latch member into interposer lever releasing position, a spring for moving said interposer lever in one direction along said path when the same is released by said latch member, reciprocating retracting means for engaging and moving said interposer lever in the other direction along said path against the bias of said spring, a pivoted bail structure mounted for rocking movement into contact with and away from said latch member, a cam follower in said bail structure located along the path of said retracting means, and a cam device carried by said retracting means for engagement with said cam follower whereby said bail is rocked into contact with said latch member and is held in such contact while latching engagement thereof with said interposer lever is established during movement of said retracting means while moving said interposer lever in said other direction.

6. interposer mechanism for a tape punch comprising, an interposer lever mounted for movement in a fixed linear path, an armature adapted to engage said interposer lever to latch the same against movement, a pivot for said armature whereby said armaturemay be rotated to engage and latch said interposer lever, an electromagnet for rotating said latch member into interposer lever releasing position, a spring for moving said interposer lever in one direction along said path when the same is released by said armature, reciprocating retracting means for engaging and moving said interposer lever in the other direction along said path against the bias of said spring, a pivoted armature knock-off bail structure mounted for rocking movement into contact with and away from said armature, a cam follower in said bail structure located along the path of said retracting means, and a cam device carried by said retracting means for engagement with said cam follower whereby said bail is rocked into contact with said armature and is held in such contact while latching engagement thereof with said interposer lever is established during movement of said retracting means while moving said interposer lever in said other direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,356,995 Gollwitzer Aug. 29, 1944 2,436,126 Tholstrup Feb. 17, 1948 2,789,644 Sonnanstine et a1. Apr. 23, 1957 

